Earring having s-member earring post and methods for use therewith

ABSTRACT

An earring includes an s-member earring post having a first end that includes a keeper, and a second end for insertion in a pierced ear hole of a user&#39;s ear. One or more beads are slideably attached to the s-member earring post, wherein, when the earring is worn on the user&#39;s ear, the keeper maintains a stable position of the at least one bead based on a gravitation force on the bead.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

None

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates earrings and earring posts for use therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Earrings are a common fashion accessory that are worn by both men and women. Different earrings are worn with different outfits of different colors and styles and on different occasions. This can require a user to own a large number of earrings.

Many earring designs include a back that secures the earring post to the ear of a user. These earring backs can be difficult to use and tend to come loose when removing a garment over the head or talking on the telephone. Further, the back can generate discomfort to the user when installed to tightly.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,396 presents an APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SUPPORTING AN EARRING, that is constructed of a single length of flexible metal wire or plastic line bent back on itself. This design presents a significant additional structure that must be worn in addition to the earrings themselves. U.S. Publication No. 2007/0199347 presents an EARRING APPARATUS that forms a post for attachment to an earring with an elongated wire with a point that is oriented in such a fashion as to present a potential hazard to the user.

These and other disadvantages of traditional and convention approaches will be evident to one skilled in the art when presented the disclosure herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the side view of an earring post 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the side view of an earring 125 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the front view of an earring 125 inserted in a pierced earring hole 90 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the insertion of a bead 104 on earring post 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5-8 present a pictorial diagram representation of the insertion of an earring post 100 in a pierced earring hole 90 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the front view of an earring 125 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the front view of an earring 125 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the front view of an earring 125 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the front view of an earring 125 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 presents a pictorial diagram representation of a keeper 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 presents a pictorial diagram representation of a keeper 102 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 presents a pictorial diagram representation of a keeper 102 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 presents a pictorial diagram representation of a keeper in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 presents a pictorial diagram representation of a keeper in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the side view of an earring 130 having a removable keeper 103 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the side view of an earring 135 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention yield several advantages over the prior art. In particular, various earrings are presented that can be worn in a pierced ear hole or other body piercing. These earrings can be attached without a back or other fastener. The design is flexible and attractive, and in an embodiment of the present invention, the user can choose and insert one or more decorative beads on the earring post to achieve different styles and colors. These earrings can be securely and comfortably worn by hanging the earring posts from a pierced ear hole.

FIG. 1 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the side view of an earring post 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, earring post 100 is shown that is constructed a tube, wire, rod or other metal such as gold, silver, nickel, stainless steel, surgical steel or other metal, that can optionally be alloyed, clad or plated with one or more other metals. In an alternative embodiment, earring post 100 can be constructed of plastic or other hypoallergenic material that is strong and lightweight. Earring post 100 is formed into a modified s-shape that includes a first arm 200 having a first end that includes a keeper 102. A first bridge portion 202 is coupled to the first arm 200 for resting in a pierced ear hole when worn by a user. A second arm 204 is coupled to the first bridge portion 204 and is substantially parallel to the first arm. A second bridge portion 206 is coupled to the second arm 204 and to a third arm 208 having a end 210 for insertion in the pierced ear hole. The third arm 206 is substantially parallel to the second arm 204. As used herein “substantially parallel” means within 25 degrees of parallel.

FIG. 2 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the side view of an earring 125 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, an earring 125 is shown that includes an earring post 100 and at least one bead 104 that is slideably attached to the earring post 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the keeper 102 includes a small bead that is attached to one end of the earring post 100. When the earring 125 is inserted in a pierced ear hole 90 and worn on the user's ear as shown with dotted lines in FIG. 3, the keeper 102 maintains a stable position of the bead 104. While the bead 104 may be free to slide, during normal conditions, the gravitation force on the bead 104 holds the bead 104 against the keeper 102.

In this fashion, different numbers of beads and beads of different materials, varieties, colors, shapes and configurations can be added or removed to create one or more earrings 125 with different “looks”. In particular beads can be constructed or metal, plastic, glass, wood, non-precious stone, semi-precious stone, precious stones, and/or other materials. While bead 104 is shown as a ball, earring 125 can include earring post 100 along with any decorative object that can be attached thereto. In an embodiment of the present invention, bead 104 is constructed of a material that changes color based on light or temperature to further add to the unique and novel features of earring 125. In a further embodiment of the present invention, bead 104 is constructed of a glow-in-the-dark material. Additional bead configurations are presented in conjunction with FIGS. 9-12.

FIG. 4 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the insertion of a bead 104 on earring post 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, end 210 of earring post 100 is inserted in the hole of bead 104. The bead 104 is slid along the length of the earring post 100 to an operational position, shown in dotted outline, adjacent to keeper 102. While a particular earring post 100 is shown in a particular s-shape with bridges 202 and 206 configured as arcs, other shapes and configurations are likewise possible that still facilitate the removable attachment of bead 104 and the easy and comfortable insertion of the earring post 100 in the pierced ear hole 90.

FIGS. 5-8 present a pictorial diagram representation of the insertion of an earring post 100 in a pierced earring hole 90 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5 end 210 is inserted in pierced ear hole 90. In FIG. 6, the earring post 100 is slid into ear hole 90 further until bridge 206 rests in the pierced ear hole 90. It should be noted that bead 104 could slide down earring post 100 in this configuration, such as to bridge 202, however, this temporary position, will not effect the final position of bead 104 when the earring 125 is completely inserted. In FIG. 7, the earring post 100 is rotated and in FIG. 8, the earring post 100 is inserted further in pierced ear hole 90, over arm 204, and coming to rest on bridge 202. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art when presented the disclosure herein, the earring post presents a comfortable and secure design that rests in a stable position in the pierced ear hole 90. Proper orientation of the earring 125 can be maintained by the force of gravity exerted by the weight of the bead 102 and/or portions of the earring post 100 itself. While a particular method of insertion is shown, other methods may likewise be used within the broad scope of the present invention.

FIG. 9 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the front view of an earring 125 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, earring 125 includes two decorative beads 105 that are both supported by keeper 102. FIG. 10 presents an alternative configuration where three beads are suspended. In FIG. 11 an entirely different bead configuration 107 is shown. In FIG. 12, earring 125 includes a bead having a functional object 108 such as a miniature quartz clock that tells the time. While a quartz clock is shown, it should be noted that other functional objects, such as a thermometer or/or light could further be incorporated in one or more beads that are attached to earring 125.

FIGS. 13-15 present pictorial diagram representations of keepers 102 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular, keeper 102 is shown in conjunction with a portion of earring post 100. In this embodiment, keeper 102 is a small ball that is attached to earring post via adhesive, crimping, or soldering. While shown as a ball, other bead configuration can likewise be employed. In FIG. 14, the small ball 102, represented here by dashed lines, is kept from falling off from earring post 100 via bend 110. In FIG. 15, the small ball 102 is kept from falling off from earring post 100 via cap 112. While FIGS. 14 and 15 present examples of a keeper 102 that includes a small ball, in an alternative configuration, the small ball can be omitted and the bend 110 or cap 112 be used directly to support one or more beads such as beads 104-108.

FIGS. 16-17 present pictorial diagram representations of keepers in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. In particular, rings 114 and 116 are shown. While shown without a small bead, rings 114 and 116 could further include a small bead that is either permanently or removable attached that, in combination with the corresponding ring, form a keeper 102. Further, rings 114 and/or 116 could further be used to support one or more additional objects (not specifically shown) such as one or more charms, chains, hoops or other decorative objects via a ring, clasp or other fastener that are attached to ring 114 or 116. While FIGS. 13-17 present several different keeper configurations, additional configurations including a crimp or a knot in earring post 100 can likewise be employed, with or without an additional bead or ball.

FIG. 18 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the side view of an earring 130 having a removable keeper 103 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the end 212 of earring post 101 and a small ball 103 can be threaded in a mating fashion so that small ball 103 can be selectively attached or detached from earring post 101. In the attached position (not specifically shown) ball 103 operates as keeper 102 in earring 125. In the detached position, one or more beads or other objects such as bead 104 can be slideably attached to the end 212, instead of the free end of the earring post. While keeper 103 is described above as attaching to earring post 101 via threads, other removable fastening mechanisms can likewise be employed within the broad scope of the present invention.

FIG. 19 presents a pictorial diagram representation of the side view of an earring 135 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, earring 135 includes an earring post 99 having one of the numerous alternative configurations. In this particular embodiment, the arms 220, 222 and 224 have different lengths, and the bridge portions 226 and 228 have different widths.

FIG. 20 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular a method is presented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in conjunctions with FIGS. 1-19. In step 400, an s-member earring post is provided. In step 402, instructions are provided to a user on the insertion of at least one decorative bead on the s-member earring post.

FIG. 21 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use in conjunction with the method of FIG. 20. In step 410, instructions are provided to the user on the insertion of the s-member earring post in a pierced ear hole.

While much of the discussion herein has focused on a single earring, one skilled in the art when presented the disclosure herein will recognize that a pair of similar or dissimilar earrings may likewise be worn by a user. Further, while the term earring has been used and the wearing of such earring has been described primarily in conjunction with the insertion of such as device within one or more pierced ear holes of a user, the present invention can be inserted in other artificially pierced holes in a user's body. While the various designs of earring post 99-101 are presented as being planar, non-planar designs may likewise be employed. In particular, when non-planar designs are employed, the parallel or substantially parallel relationship between arms 200, 204 and 208 can be defined in terms of a projection of these arms onto a common plane.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate, the term “coupled”, as may be used herein, includes direct coupling and indirect coupling via another component or element. As one of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two elements in the same manner as “coupled”.

Thus, there has been described herein an earring post, earring and method, as well as several embodiments including a preferred embodiment. Various embodiments of the present invention herein-described have features that distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than the preferred forms specifically set out and described above. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An earring comprising: an s-member earring post having a first end that includes a keeper, and a second end for insertion in a pierced ear hole of a user's ear; and at least one bead ornament that is slideably attached to the s-member earring post; wherein, when the earring is worn on the user's ear, the keeper maintains a stable position of the at least one bead based on a gravitation force on the bead.
 2. The earring of claim 1 wherein the s-member earring post includes a first arm, a second arm and a third arm that are substantially parallel to one another.
 3. The earring of claim 2 wherein the s-member earring post further includes a first bridge portion between the first arm and the second arm that rests in the pierced ear hole when the earring is worn.
 4. The earring of claim 1 wherein the keeper includes at least one of: a ball, a cap, a crimp, a bend, a knot and a ring.
 5. The earring of claim 1 wherein the keeper includes at least two of: a ball, a cap, a crimp, a bend, a knot and a ring.
 6. The earring of claim 1 wherein the bead includes a functional object.
 7. The earring of claim 6 wherein the functional object includes at least one of: a clock, a thermometer, and a light.
 8. The earring of claim 1 wherein the bead changes color based on at least one of: light and temperature.
 9. An earring post comprising: a first arm having a first end that includes a keeper; a first bridge portion coupled to the first arm for resting in a pierced ear hole when worn by a user; a second arm, coupled to the first bridge portion and substantially parallel to the first arm; a second bridge portion coupled to the second arm; a third arm, coupled to the second bridge portion, the third arm having a second end for insertion in the pierced ear hole, wherein the third arm is substantially parallel to the second arm.
 10. The earring post of claim 9 wherein the keeper maintains a stable position of at least one bead that is slideably attached to the s-member earring post when the s-member earring post is worn by the user.
 11. The earring post of claim 9 wherein the keeper includes at least one of: a ball, a cap, a crimp, a bend, a knot and a ring.
 12. The earring post of claim 9 wherein the keeper includes at least two of: a ball, a cap, a crimp, a bend, a knot and a ring.
 13. A method comprising: providing a s-member earring post; and providing instructions to a user on the insertion of at least one decorative bead on the s-member earring post.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: providing instructions to the user on the insertion of the s-member earring post in a pierced ear hole. 